New directors elected to board of MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce

Mary Petersen, Greater Midwest Realty, and Kari Hefnider, American Family Insurance – Hefnider Agency, have been elected to the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2013.

Kari Hefnider

Petersen has been with MetroNorth for over 10 years and has been active in the ambassador, working with women and government affairs committees.

She is bringing her “small business owner viewpoint” to the board, as well as her “accountability, commitment to learn, ear for listening and willingness to step up to the plate and get things done,” according to Petersen.

Hefnider has been a MetroNorth member for four years, including chairing the Ambassador Committee and being a regular Sunrise Networking Breakfast attendee.

She believes that “MetroNorth has grown into the premier chamber in the region” and as an ambassador for the chamber, she “learned the value of meeting the new members and lending advice on how to get the most out of the chamber, and why staying a part of it is important,” said Hefnider, whose office is in Coon Rapids.

Mary Petersen

The 2013 board will be led by Patty Sagert of Rasmussen College – Blaine Campus.

“I am extremely humbled and honored to serve the members of the MetroNorth Chamber as the chair of the board,” Sagert said.

“As we embrace 2013 our chamber will focus on being relevant, building relationships and driving revenue for all of our members.”

Sagert follows Duane Arens of Connexus Energy-Ramsey, who remains part of the 2013 leadership team as past chairperson. The other executive officers are Bob Schlichte of Grand Casino (vice chairperson) and Dean Richards, Smith Schafer & Associates (treasurer).

Outgoing board members were John Connelly of the National Sports Center and Heidi Heroff of SPIRE FCU.

Patty Sagert

Connelly completed six years on the board, serving as chairperson in 2011 and past chairperson in 2012. He has been active in the Government Affairs Committee as well as bringing in high caliber speakers for key chamber events.

Heroff completed five years of board service. She was chairperson of the Gala Committee for several years.

The MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce’s mission statement is to be the leading advocate and resource for business in the greater Anoka County area by promoting economic growth and development, impacting public policy, providing education opportunities and building professional relationships.